Political appetites are evolving rapidly. We examine how food and wellness affect politics.
A poll by KFF indicates almost half Americans support the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement and contributed to Donald Trump’s victory in 2024. Yet, this and other surveys (including CNN) indicate concerns by these voters with the administration and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. What are the political implications?
Cowley: Trump voters are disappointed. Broken promises and hypocritical actions are a part of the political status quo, not the “drain the swamp” sweeping reform they voted for. With each unfulfilled campaign promise, Trump supporters are losing enthusiasm, causing pundits to forecast doom and gloom for the GOP’s odds in both the midterm elections and remaining in the White House.
MAHA is a multifaceted cohort of voters who care about a range of issues, including artificial food dyes, vaccine mandates, pesticides and even perceived health hazards caused by data centers. Most of these issues are historically coded Republican or Democrat, but these voters are transient enough that, if mobilized correctly, they could impact elections.
RFK is the father of the modern MAHA movement. Yet his about-face, supporting the use of glyphosate, a known cancer-causing weed killer, makes him look like a sellout to corporate influence. His previous legal activism against major polluters now seems opportunistic rather than an altruistic moral crusade.
MAGA is mad about America’s involvement in the Iran war. MAHA is mad about glyphosate. Still, Trump’s potency in elections doesn’t seem to be diluted. His recent involvement helped unseat Sen. Bill Cassidy in Louisiana and more recently contributed to the defeat of Thomas Massie in Kentucky. Although the President’s influence is strong right now, these fractures could create opportunities for Democrats or moderate Republicans.
Pignanelli: “Medicine is a social science, and politics nothing but medicine at a larger scale.” — Rudolf Virchow
The humorous irony is the health-conscious MAGA activism found a champion in a president who is known for many things but not a healthy lifestyle. Yet his shrewd embrace of this long-ignored but important group gave them a voice and made an electoral difference.
The frustration Renae notes above is percolating among the ranks. Further, the concern with pesticides is shared by a vast majority of Americans.
Trump’s disapproval ratings remain high, especially in the handling of the economy. Healthcare costs are an even greater concern to the MAHA movement. Thus, this could be a problem for Trump and GOP in the 2026 elections. They won’t necessarily drift to Democrats, but may stay home.
I predict Trump will soon attempt a press event to solidify their support and bring them to the polls.
There is a shift in how people develop opinions on health and wellness. A Pew Research Center survey indicates half U.S. adults under 50 get their health advice from influencers. How is this impacting politics?
Cowley: Forty percent of young Americans get their news from TikTok. Right or wrong, social media platforms are rising as sources for information because trust in institutions and government-sponsored sciences is justifiably plummeting. The inversion of the food pyramid, mandates and falsehoods about COVID, permitting known harmful ingredients in our food that are banned in other countries, all contribute to this growing distrust.
Influencers feed off this cynicism and promote healthy lifestyles, but they aren’t exactly pure in their motivations either. Each click earns them commissions on whatever vitamins, supplements or therapies they are schlepping. Joe Rogan and Andrew Huberman peddle vitamins and supplements while advocating for red-light therapies and cold plunges. Supermodel Nara Smith and homesteader Hannah Neely (Ballerina Farms) promote their protein powder and cookbook while baking sourdough from scratch. Then, of course, there is noted fraudster Liver King, who marketed his caveman diet and was later exposed for taking steroids.
The bottom line is consumers should think critically about information from both the government and influencers.
Pignanelli: As my family and friends attest, I am a weird guy when it comes to fitness and nutrition. Almost every day I devour heaps of spinach, kale and whole kiwi fruits while engaging in vigorous exercise. (Granted, I have my vices of wine and Scotch whisky). I pursue other health activities that even make RFK look normal. So I have much in common with the MAHA crowd.
But I’m also old enough to have friends and acquaintances who suffered the scourge of polio and other diseases. Thus I have multiple vaccinations coursing through my veins. My blood is drawn twice a year and examined by several physicians, documenting my commitment to traditional approaches.
During the pandemic, those of us who followed the rules noticed the statements from institutions were not matching the facts. Our distrust of the “healthcare government establishment” is shared with Renae’s peers, but my generation will pursue our answers not from social media influencers but other mainstream sources.
Will the Utah legislature be examining any of these items in the interim?
Cowley: Utah passed a bill prohibiting SNAP benefits from being used on soda. Expect additional deliberations on adding junk food to that ban. There will be renewed fervor around vaccine mandates amid the measles outbreak.
Pignanelli: The local MAHA is targeting the cost of healthcare and insurance. Their pursuit will make the discussion interesting.